South Alabama vs Western Michigan Prediction, Pick & Odds for Saturday Night Football – Yurika.R

• We’ve analyzed the IS4S Salute to Veterans Bowl between South Alabama and Western Michigan
• The Jaguars are 6.5-point favorites in their quasi-home game in Montgomery
• Read below for South Alabama vs Western Michigan odds, prediction and best bet

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The 2024-25 college football bowl season officially kicks off on Saturday, December 14 with the South Alabama Jaguars (6-6, 5-3 Sun Belt) taking on the Western Michigan Broncos (6-6, 5-3 MAC) in the IS4S Salute to Veterans Bowl.

This intriguing Sun Belt vs. MAC clash will air on ESPN at 9:00 p.m. ET from the historic Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Alabama. The Jaguars enter as 6.5-point favorites with the total set at 54.5 points.

Let’s dive into our South Alabama vs Western Michigan prediction for Saturday night football.

South Alabama vs Western Michigan Odds

Team	Spread	Moneyline	Over/Under
South Alabama	-6.5 (-110)	-225	54.5 (-110)
Western Michigan	+6.5 (-110)	+190	54.5 (-110)

South Alabama opened as a 10-point favorite, but the line has steadily moved in Western Michigan’s direction, with most books now offering the Jaguars at -6.5. The total has also ticked down from the opener of 59.5 to the current number of 54.5.

The odds imply South Alabama has a 74.4% chance of winning the game outright, while Western Michigan’s implied probability sits at 29.9%.

Odds as of December 14, 2024, at ESPN Sportsbook. Check out the best college football betting apps for bowl season.

The Jaguars being favored likely stems from their slight home-field advantage with the game being played just a few hours from their Mobile campus. South Alabama also boasts a more balanced offensive attack.

However, uncertainty surrounding QB Gio Lopez’s health after suffering a foot injury in the season finale has caused the line to drop. The Broncos keeping things close down the stretch despite a tough schedule is another factor.

Jaguars Betting Analysis

South Alabama is led by a dynamic offense that ranked 20th in the nation in scoring (34.8 ppg). However, that unit takes a hit with RB Fluff Bothwell (832 yards, 13 TD) opting to enter the transfer portal.

QB Gio Lopez’s status is also up in the air after he injured his foot in the regular season finale against Texas State. The redshirt freshman has accounted for 25 total TDs this year.

South Alabama quarterback Gio Lopez is a game time decision for the bowl game on Saturday in Montgomery against Western Michigan. @wsfa12news

— Rosie Langello (@RosieLangello) December 13, 2024

If Lopez can’t go, backup Bishop Davenport will take the reins. The Utah State transfer has been solid in limited action, completing 23-of-35 passes for 335 yards and 1 TD. The Jags still have big-play WR Jamaal Pritchett (91 catches, 1,127 yards, 9 TD), one of the top pass-catchers in the country, to lean on.

Defensively, South Alabama allowed a respectable 26.7 ppg but struggled mightily to stop the pass, ranking 117th nationally (260.7 ypg).

The SOUT secondary takes another hit with freshman CB Jordan Scruggs, who had 4 PBU and 1 INT operating primarily out of the slot, opting to transfer. But safety Jaden Voisin, 1st Team All-Sun Belt, remains a difference-maker.

Broncos Betting Analysis

Western Michigan’s offense revolves around a powerful ground game, led by the three-headed monster of Jaden Nixon (874 yards, 12 TD), Jalen Buckley, and Zahir Abdus-Salaam.

Those three elite rushers combined for over 1,900 rushing yards and 20 TDs. The run-heavy approach should serve WMU well against a South Alabama front that surrendered 187.8 ypg on the ground.

always working ⚔️#EAT | #BroncosReign pic.twitter.com/jL6debiHmQ

— Western Michigan Football (@WMU_Football) December 12, 2024

When the Broncos do drop back to pass, 6th-year senior QB Hayden Wolff (2,214 yards, 17 TD, 7 INT) has proven efficient, if unspectacular. Top pass-catcher WR Blake Bosma (37 rec, 403 yards, 6 TD) is sitting out after entering the portal, a sizable loss. But WR/KR/ PR Justin Mayfield (675 all-purpose yards) is a versatile weapon for Wolff to target.

Defensively is where Western Michigan has struggled, allowing 31.5 ppg (103rd in FBS). The Broncos will be without two key pieces up front in DL Corey Walker and Anterio Thompson, who entered the portal.

WMU’s secondary, led by the CB duo of Anthony Romphf and Samuel Battle-Finley (4 INT, 13 PBU combined), will have their hands full with Pritchett and the SOUT passing attack. But if they can hold up and let the offense control the clock, WMU can hang around.

South Alabama vs Western Michigan Prediction

This game feels like it could go either way, especially with Lopez’s status unclear for South Alabama. I ultimately think the Jaguars have enough firepower and motivation to get the job done, even if it’s not in convincing fashion.

South Alabama is 3-5-0 ATS as a favorite, but the Broncos are an ugly -4-0 when getting points. This game is taking place just a three-hour drive for the SOUT campus, so look for the Jags to take advantage of a quasi-home environment.

I lean towards the under in a game that could turn sloppy given all the opt outs. There are also 10 mph winds in the forecast, with a small chance of showers. That would likely lead to a conservative, run-heavy game script for both sides.

The Pick: